Town Square

Bike use climbs in Mountain View

Original post made
on Oct 3, 2012

Bicycle advocates are buzzing about new census data which shows that bicycling to work is on the rise in Mountain View -- so much so that it is now just about equal to that of Portland, Ore., the self-proclaimed "bike capital" of America.

Posted by employers are leading the way
a resident of Old Mountain View
on Oct 3, 2012 at 2:22 pm

The main reason for increased bicycle commuting is that employers are encouraging it. They are building showers and locker rooms on-site and building secure bicycle storage rooms to eliminate theft. Employers are also encouraging cities to improve bicycle routes to the work sites. Improving bicycling facilities at work is way cheaper than building bigger parking lots.

Of course, the fact that big tech companies mainly hire younger more energetic workers probably has something to do with it.

With the salaries that companies like Google are paying, I doubt that gas prices has much to do with the Mountain View trend, though that may have an effect elsewhere.

Posted by Human Powered
a resident of Old Mountain View
on Oct 3, 2012 at 3:21 pm

@employers: Good points, however I am no spring chicken and I ride to work as frequently as possible. It is nice having a shower to use at the office, a place to store some essentials, and a safe place to store my bicycle. Also encouraging that my employer and the property management are also encouraging people to cycle or use some other means to commute than by driving a car.

@CMV: Yes, some cyclists can be obnoxious, but then so can many pedestrians on this trail and elsewhere. Many times 2-3 people will block the entire path and refuse to let a cyclist by no matter how polite the cyclist might be, solo pedestrians walking on the wrong side of the path or perhaps walking with a dog and blocking the path with the animal's leash and so on. I walk, cycle, drive and ride a motorcycle. I see the best and worst of many of my neighbors and fellow travellers. It is not all one-sided and it isn't always an 'us versus them' situation as we have all been 'us' as well as 'them' at one time or another. Be kind to one another, treat everyone as you would have them treat you if the roles were reversed. Accept that there are still going to be inconsiderate people regardless. Sorry, that's just life, try not to let that get the best of you please.

Posted by pedestrian
a resident of Old Mountain View
on Oct 3, 2012 at 3:21 pm

I've found that most pedestrians and bicyclists are very considerate as long as everyone obeys standard trail rules like keeping to the right side of the trail. When people spread out across the trail, they block oncoming traffic as well as passing traffic, and then no wonder some people get annoyed.

Posted by Oh Stop It
a resident of Castro City
on Oct 3, 2012 at 3:27 pm

I would LOVE for cyclists to have to walk the trail just as I would love pedestrians to have to RIDE the trail so that they can see how turning blindly to the left, being completely deaf with ear buds and walking into oncoming riders while trying to pas a stopped stroller.
I ride and walk the trail and I can tell you horror stories from both sides so lets not be self serving and sanctimonious attitudes.
Its a MULTIPLE USE TRAIL. We all need to take responsibility for our own safety. Its not anyone's job but our own, and since the story is reporting cycling is only gaining in popularity, you should do your job well.

I'll add that as a mostly pedestrian users of the trail I find the majority of riders on the SCT to be much more polite than cyclists I come across in other areas. This is generally speaking of course, but I think most users are coexisting well. There's always a few cranks, though.

Haters gonna hate, and they love to hate on cyclists.
Its socially acceptable bigotry so people don't hide it, but its still bigotry.

Imagine thinking about an entire group of people as mostly rude arrogant and obnoxious. Except for a few, Eeeeveryone else is terrible. Now, instead of saying "cyclists", let shine a light on what's really being sold and use the word "minority" (you can pick your favorite) This will help you see the bigotry:
"Many <minority> are considerate, but most are obnoxious, arrogant, and and rude."
Hmmm...Not the statement of a logically thinking individual IMO.

When the person who believes this sees <minority> they will act
accordingly. They won't be friendly, and they will be on guard for any perceived rudeness. Is it any wonder they find what they are hunting for?

Posted by Doug Pearson
a resident of Blossom Valley
on Oct 3, 2012 at 4:26 pm

I've been riding the bus to work more or less regularly for 10 years or longer and I can say from experience that the number of bike riders who pass by while I am waiting for the bus has definitely gone up, in agreement with your point that "Bike use climbs in Mountain View".

@CMV Resident, I drive a Honda. Also, it seems like non bikers were also being critical of your comments as well, but once again, selective observations based in bigotry have you only seeing what you want to see. I'm glad to see the majority of posters agreeing that _most_ everyone gets along on the trail. Personally I don't like bigots of any flavor, but I do hope your anger keeps you warm at night.

Posted by Garrett
a resident of another community
on Oct 4, 2012 at 9:22 am

What about all the jobs created, people come here to work. Ok we can build more housing away from MV, what about all those cars driving in. More cars driven in means more traffic, more space needed for highways, house people on farmland who will drive on highways to MV.

Yeah bikes! I love seeing all the people around Google tootling about. It adds a really fun vibe to the area and I'm sorry, but it just looks fun! I think I might break out my bike tonight, "bigotry" be damned, I'll look for the happy people :)

Posted by Yeppers
a resident of Stierlin Estates
on Oct 4, 2012 at 4:44 pm

@kmam, The police have been stepping up patrols on Ca Ave but deaths have continued. Besides, the costs of a designated full time CA Ave only patrol would be a huge hit to the police budget and as we have seen, even with stepped up patrols, deaths have happened because they cannot be all places at all times...forever. Lane reduction would address the safety of peds and bikes _and_ the speeders.
Nothing wrong with driving single file down the road at the speed limit.
Lets git 'er done!

Posted by James Thurber
a resident of Old Mountain View
on Oct 4, 2012 at 4:54 pm

I find Mountain View a very bicycle friendly city. I'm delighted to hear that more and more folks are hitting the road vis a vis two wheels. The more of us that are out there - the safer it becomes for everyone.

I also noticed that gasoline prices have jumped lately. One of these days I ought to consider purchasing a car. In the meantime it's been bicycle, walking, buses and the occasional train ride.

Speeding will happen whether it's one lane or 2. Lane reduction won't stop someone who wants to speed, rather it will move the speeder to the surrounding streets, where the kids play. Is that what you want?